Yorkshire Water says the work is "to improve reliability of drinking water supply, reduce leakage, and prevent water main bursts in the area". The project, which began this month, will see contract partners United Infrastructure replacing over 18km of mains pipework on local streets by the end of the summer. Nichola Fairbairn, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are undertaking a huge upgrade to our clean water infrastructure, having already replaced over 120km of water mains across Yorkshire since the start of our investment period in April 2025 – estimated to be saving 1.24 million litres of leakage every day. “The scheme between Ilkley and Weston is one of our larger mains replacement projects and will provide significant benefit to the local areas. Local residents have been contacted in regard to any localised disruption.